Influenza Season Lasts Longer Than You Think -- There is Still Time to get Vaccinated

Public health officials recommend annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older

(December 1, 2011)—

Faces of Influenza

Influenza season is in full swing. Vaccination is safe and effective, and the best way to help prevent influenza and its complications. Those who have not had a chance to obtain the influenza vaccine early in the season, should seek immunization into the spring or as long as the influenza virus is in circulation.

In most seasons, influenza activity doesn’t peak until winter or even early spring. It only takes about two weeks for the vaccine to protect against the virus, so even though the holidays are passing quickly, it is not too late to get vaccinated.

We all are “faces” of influenza and are at risk of contracting the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months of age and older receive an influenza vaccination. The recommendation reinforces annual influenza vaccination as a public health priority and highlights the need for people to talk to their health care provider about getting immunized this season.

Vaccination is important for everyone, however, influenza immunization rates in the highest-risk groups fall far short of public health goals every year. Groups with the highest risk of developing influenza-related complications include:

  • people 50 years of age and older
  • children 6 months-18 years of age 
  • pregnant women 
  • people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, diabetes, and others
  • residents of long-term care facilities and nursing homes

Annual immunization is also recommended for caregivers and household contacts of these high-risk groups, such as relatives and health care providers.

Influenza is a serious respiratory illness that is easily spread and can lead to severe complications, even death, for those who come into contact with the illness. Each year in the United States, on average, influenza and its related complications results in approximately 226,000 hospitalizations. Depending on virus severity during the influenza season, deaths can range from 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people.

To learn more about the program, influenza and vaccination, visit www.facesofinfluenza.org.

The American Lung Association of New England is part of the American Lung Association, the oldest voluntary health organization in the U.S. Established in 1904 to combat tuberculosis, our mission today is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. The focus is on air quality, asthma, tobacco control, and all lung disease. ALANE serves CT, MA, ME, NH, RI and VT.

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